Two years ago, cousins Alicia Passmore and Kassy Williams opened a salon and clothing boutique, called Blush Hair and Makeup Lounge and Rose Ann Adoring Boutique on Main Street in Sand Springs. The boutique name is a moniker of the pair’s middle names. Since opening, the women have endured a temporary, mandated business closure during the outbreak of COVID-19 and, just a few weeks ago, Alicia received devastating, life-altering news.
In March, Alicia began experiencing pain in her knee, which she attributed to the industry she’s in and the physical demands it requires. But seven weeks ago, her knee started to swell and doctors suspected a torn meniscus. After being prescribed crutches, undergoing extensive lab work, and having back-to-back hospital stays, Alicia was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma is cancer of the bone marrow, and Alicia has up to 26 sessions of chemotherapy ahead of her. She has completed two treatments so far, and the medical bills are already mounting. Alicia has been unable to work for over two months, and though she has health insurance, the coverage just began so the deductible is very high.
Like the oncologists who wasted no time starting Alicia’s treatment, Alicia’s community also immediately plunged into action. Along with other business owners throughout Sand Springs, Alicia’s cousin Kassy made a plan to tangibly help Alicia so she can focus on her treatment. A community-wide fundraiser called Local Love Alicia Day, a raffle, a poker run, and a GoFundMe fundraiser have all been created to raise money to cover Alicia’s medical bills and cost-of-living expenses.
“The hardest part is not having Alicia here,” Kassy says through tears. “She gets hair products and other packages in the mail, and I just leave her stuff at her station because then it’s kinda like she’s here with me.”
At the salon, Kassy and the Blush Hair and Makeup Lounge stylists have been shuffling their calendars to accommodate Alicia’s clients, which Kassy says is an enormous privilege. “Our clients become our friends, and Alicia has a huge client following,” Kassy says. “Her [clients-turned-friends] check in every day and are always sending messages of support.”
“Everyone has been so supportive of Alicia and of our little business,” Kassy says, “and it means the world.”
With fundraising events coming up on September 19th and October 3rd, Kassy and her colleagues are hopeful for a huge turn out for her cousin and friend.
“Alicia is the sweetest soul with a heart of gold,” Kassy says. “She would do anything for anybody, and she is so talented and so beautiful.”
Determined to ease some of Alicia’s financial burdens, Kassy is faithfully expecting that the community will serve as a pillar during this time and show up for Alicia exactly like they did when Kassy and Alicia opened the doors of their downtown salon and boutique.
“Alicia is not alone in her battle,” Kassy says. “This is one hundred percent a community effort 𑁋 she has an entire community behind her.”
LOCAL LOVE ALICIA DAY:
Several local businesses in Sand Springs are stepping up in a big way to support Alicia, including:
YellowHouse Market & Boutique will be donating 10% of all sales on Saturday, September 19th to Alicia’s medical expense fund. Additionally, the store will have a donation jar and prayer jar at its counter for Sandites who want to give a monetary gift or leave Alicia a letter of encouragement.
Mention “Local Love Alicia Day” when you dine at Rib Crib on Saturday, September 19th, and the company will donate 10% of the sale to Alicia’s medical expense fund.
Coble’s Flowers will be donating all of its delivery fees on Friday (9/18) and Saturday (9/19) for Alicia’s medical expenses.
Blush Hair and Makeup Lounge will be offering great deals on products and donating 10% of all sales on Saturday, September 19th. Additionally, a donation jar will be available plus you can purchase raffle tickets for two INCREDIBLE gift baskets valued at over $1,000 each.
Find more information about the event here.
RAFFLE:
Enter to win two gift baskets valued at over $1,000 each. Baskets include a Usmooth flat iron, a gift certificate for a Brailian blowout smoothing treatment, a gift certificate for a pumpkin enzyme facial, over $300 in hair products, and more. Tickets to enter are $20 each and available for purchase at Blush Hair and Makeup Lounge or Studio B Hair and Nail Salon. All proceeds will directly benefit Alicia, and the raffle will be open until Saturday, October 3rd.
POKER RUN:
Hosted on Saturday, October 3rd, the Poker Run will start at the Studio B Hair and Nail Salon and end at the Sand Springs Elks Lodge with stops in between at OuR Bar, Freddie’s Steakhouse, Click’s Steakhouse, and Cleveland Lounge. At the Sand Springs Elks Lodge, participants can purchase food, enter to win the raffle, and shop from a silent auction. Tickets are for sale from now until the day of the event and are available at Studio B Hair and Nail Salon, thanks to Brittany Durham. All proceeds will benefit Alicia and her ongoing medical expenses.
GOFUNDME:
To give directly, visit the GoFundMe set up for Alicia on behalf of Barbara Passmore, Alicia’s mother.
